Cobia – U.S.

Cobia is a large pelagic fish, growing up to 2 m (6.5 ft) in length, and found in tropical and warm-temperate waters worldwide, except for the eastern Pacific. They grow quickly, become sexually mature at 1-3 years of age, and may live for 16 years.

Cobia are not targeted directly by commercial fishermen, instead are caught incidentally in other fisheries. In the US, most Cobia are caught with hook and line, a fishing method that causes minimal habitat damage and likely results in a moderate level of bycatch.

The abundance of Cobia in the US is currently unknown. There are several management measures in place for Cobia, including a minimum size limit and catch limits.